We stand firm in our commitment to protecting our greenbelt

On Dec. 6, 2018, the Provincial Government tabled legislation referred to as Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act 2018, which, if passed would allow municipalities to, with the Minister’s consent, pass “Open for Business’” zoning by-laws.These bylaws would not be bound by existing legislation, such as the Clean Water Act, 2006 or the Greenbelt Act, 2005. This change suggests that the Province is opening the Greenbelt for development, among other changes. Additional background is below.Staff will be bringing a report to Committee and Council in January with comments, working closely with the Halton Area Planning Partners which includes policy leaders from the planning departments at the Region and the four Halton municipalities.The City issued a media release on Friday afternoon expressing our concerns with the proposed legislation, especially as it relates to the Greenbelt.  It struck a nerve across southern Ontario with the vast majority of comments supportive of the release and our comments.My Take: Mayor Marianne Meed Ward“We stand firm in our commitment to protecting our greenbelt from development and protecting our farm families and rural agricultural economy. We will also ensure our residents benefit from the protections in all the other pieces of legislation referred to in Bill 66. We will not be comprising their safety or quality of life for speed. I do not see Burlington using this legislation, if it is passed. At the same time, we’ll do everything we can to ensure Burlington is open for business.”Mary Lou Tanner, Deputy City Manager"Burlington has a long history of a firm urban boundary, supporting both the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Greenbelt Plan.  We strongly support protecting our rural area from development. Farming is part of our community identity and a key driver in the economy.  At the same time, our administration is committed to reducing red tape.”Background:The Province of Ontario tabled Bill 66 which is new legislation regarding Competitiveness and Reducing Red Tape in Ontario.  The bill amends many pieces of legislation (labour law, child care law, planning law and more).  There is an open commenting period until Jan 20, 2019 through the Environmental Bill of Rights.The province also released draft regulations with the legislation.The bill and regulations do the following:

• by-passes the usual public process for developing a zoning by-law including public notification
• sets final approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs in 20 days
• applies only to employment uses (not residential or retail)
• by-passes major pieces of legislation in Ontario - the Greenbelt Plan, the Metrolinx Act, Places to Grow, Provincial Policy Statement, Clean Water Act
• by passes the requirement for a zoning by-law to conform to the Official Plan for the municipality
• by-passes the requirement for a public works by-law to conform to the Official Plan for the municipality
• eliminates Section 37 payments (Community Benefits or more commonly known as density bonusing)
• eliminates any right of appeal of an "open for business" zoning by-law

To learn more and comment via the Environmental Bill of Rights, visit: EBR Bill 66